Wireless power transmitting device and method for controlling the same

ABSTRACT

According to an embodiment a wireless power transmitting device, includes a power transmission antenna including patch antennas to wirelessly transmit power, and communication antennas configured to receive a communication signal from an electronic device. The wireless power transmitting device also includes a processor configured to detect a direction in which the electronic device is positioned based on the communication signal received through the communication antennas and control the power transmission antenna to transmit the power in the detected direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/474,506 filed on Mar. 30, 2017, which claims the benefit under 35U.S.C. § 119(a) of a US patent application filed in the United StatesPatent and Trademark Office on Mar. 31, 2016 and assigned Ser. No.62/315,869, and a Korean patent application filed in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office on Aug. 2, 2016 and assigned Serial No.10-2016-0098432, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated hereinby reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The following description relates to wireless power transmitting devicesand methods for controlling the same, and more specifically, to wirelesspower transmitting devices configured to wirelessly transmit power toelectronic devices and methods for controlling the same.

2. Description of Related Art

Portable digital communication devices have become indispensable topeople. Customers desire to receive various high-quality servicesanytime, anywhere, and at a fast speed. Recent development of Internetof Things (IoT) technology bundles various sensors, home appliances, andcommunication devices into a single network. A diversity of sensorsrequire a wireless power transmission system for seamless operations.

Wireless power transmission is produced using magnetic induction type,magnetic resonance type, or electromagnetic wave type, to remotelytransmit power.

Such electromagnetic wave type remotely transmits power. Thus, it isimportant to determine, within a great degree of accuracy a location ofthe receivers at remote locations to effectively and efficiently deliverpower to these receivers.

In order to determine the position or location of a target for charging,for instance, an electronic device, a conventional electromagnetic wavescheme forms radio frequency (RF) waves in multiple directions, receivesinformation about power reception from the electronic device, and usesthe received information to make such determination of the position orthe location of the electronic device. However, the formation of RFwaves in multiple directions and the reception of power-relatedinformation take a large amount of time and power. In particular,high-power transmission before sensing a target for charging is notlikely to be done due to harm to humans.

The above information is presented as background information only toassist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determinationhas been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the abovemight be applicable as prior art with regard to the present application.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

According to various embodiments, a wireless power transmitting deviceis described that determines a direction of wireless power transmissionusing communication signals from an electronic device and determines aprecise location of the electronic device using the determineddirection. A corresponding method is also described.

In accordance with an embodiment, there is provided a wireless powertransmitting device, including: a power transmission antenna comprisingpatch antennas; communication antennas; and a processor configured toreceive, through the communication antennas, a communication signal froman electronic device, detect a direction in which the electronic deviceis positioned based on the communication signal received through thecommunication antennas and control to transmit the power, through thepower transmission antenna, in the detected direction.

The processor may determine the direction in which the electronic deviceis positioned based on at least one of a difference in time of receptionof the communication signal at each of the communication antennas and adifference in phase of the communication signal received by each of thecommunication antennas.

The processor may control the patch antennas so that sub-radio frequency(RF) waves of a first magnitude constructively interfere with each otherin the direction of the electronic device.

The processor may determine whether or not to adjust a magnitude of thesub-RF waves of the first magnitude based on whether receivedpower-related information in a second communication signal receivedafter the reception of the communication signal meets a presetcondition.

The processor may control the patch antennas so that the sub-RF waves ofa second magnitude constructively interfere with each other in responseto the received power-related information failing to meet the presetcondition, and wherein the processor may determine whether or not toadjust the magnitude of the sub-RF waves of the second magnitude basedon whether RX power-related information in a third communication signalreceived from the electronic device meets the preset condition.

The wireless power transmitting device may further include: a powersource configured to supply the power; and a power amplifier configuredto amplify the power, wherein the processor changes the magnitude of thesub-RF waves from the first magnitude to the second magnitude bychanging an amplification gain of the power amplifier.

The processor may adjust the power provided to the patch antennas untilthe received power-related information meets the preset condition, andwherein the processor maintains the magnitude of the power supplied tothe patch antennas in response to the received power-related informationmeeting the preset condition.

The processor may adjust the power provided to the patch antennas to amagnitude of the power to which the power is previously adjusted for thepatch antennas in response to the received power-related informationfailing to meet a first condition and may adjust the power provided tothe patch antennas to a half of the magnitude of the power to which thepower is previously adjusted for the patch antennas in response to thereceived power-related information meeting the preset first conditionand failing to meet a preset second condition.

The processor may adjust a phase of the power inputted to each of thepatch antennas so that the sub-RF waves of the first magnitudeconstructively interfere with each other in the detected direction.

The wireless power transmitting device may further include: phaseshifters, each shifting the phase of the power inputted to each of thepatch antennas, wherein the processor may adjust the phase of the powerinputted to each of the patch antennas by controlling each of the phaseshifters.

The processor may adjust a magnitude of the power inputted to each ofthe patch antennas so that the sub-RF waves of the first magnitudeconstructively interfere with each other in the detected direction.

The communication signal may include at least one of identificationinformation of the electronic device and rated power information aboutthe electronic device, and wherein the processor may determine whetherto charge the electronic device based on at least one of theidentification information of the electronic device and the rated powerinformation about the electronic device.

The processor may determine to charge the electronic device, may detecta movement of the electronic device while charging the electronic devicewith the sub-RF waves of the first magnitude, changes at least one of amagnitude of the sub-RF waves and the determined direction based on themovement of the electronic device, and charges the electronic device.

The processor may detect the movement of the electronic device usingmovement information about the electronic device in a secondcommunication signal received from the communication antennas, maydetect the movement of the electronic device based on a time ofreception of a third communication signal by each of the communicationantennas, or may detect the movement of the electronic devicecorresponding to a failure to meet a preset condition of RXpower-related information in a fourth communication signal receivedafter the reception of the third communication signal from thecommunication antennas.

Each of the communication antennas may receive other communicationsignal from another electronic device, and wherein the processor maydetermine a direction in which the other electronic device is positionedbased on at least one of a difference in time of reception and adifference in phase of the other communication signal by each of thecommunication antennas from the other electronic device.

The processor may divide the patch antennas into a first patch antennagroup to charge the electronic device and a second patch antenna groupto charge the other electronic device based on any one or anycombination of any two or more of a direction in which the electronicdevice is positioned, a direction in which the other electronic deviceis positioned, rated power information about the electronic device, andrated power information about the other electronic device, and whereinthe processor may perform control so that the first patch antenna groupcharges the electronic device, and the second patch antenna groupcharges the other electronic device.

The processor may perform control so that the patch antennas charge theelectronic device during a first period and the patch antennas chargethe other electronic device during a second period.

In accordance with an embodiment, there is provided a method to controla wireless power transmitting device, including: receiving acommunication signal from an electronic device; detecting a direction inwhich the electronic device is positioned based on the communicationsignal; and transmitting power wirelessly in the detected direction.

Detecting the direction of the electronic device based on thecommunication signal may include determining the direction of theelectronic device based on at least one of a difference in time ofreception of the communication signal and a difference in phase of thecommunication signal received by each of communication antennas in thewireless power transmitting device.

Transmitting the power in the detected direction may include controllingpatch antennas in the wireless power transmitting device so thatsub-radio frequency (RF) waves of a first magnitude constructivelyinterfere with each other in the direction of the electronic device.

The method may further include: determining whether to charge theelectronic device with the sub-RF waves of the first magnitude dependingon whether received (RX) power-related information in a secondcommunication signal received after the reception of the communicationsignal meets a preset condition.

The method may further include: controlling the patch antennas so thatthe sub-RF waves of a second magnitude constructively interfere witheach other in response to the received power-related information beingdetermined to fail to meet the preset condition; and determining whetherto charge the electronic device with the sub-RF waves of the secondmagnitude depending on whether RX power-related information in a thirdcommunication signal received from the electronic device meets thepreset condition.

Controlling the patch antennas so that the sub-radio frequency (RF)waves of the second magnitude constructively interfere with each otherin the determined direction may include changing a magnitude of thesub-RF waves from the first magnitude to the second magnitude by varyingan amplification gain of the power amplifier.

The method may further include: adjusting the power provided to thepatch antennas until the received power-related information meets thepreset condition; and charging the electronic device with the powerprovided to the patch antennas in response to the received power-relatedinformation meeting the preset condition.

The method may further include: adjusting the power provided to thepatch antennas to a magnitude of the power to which the power ispreviously adjusted for the patch antennas in response to the receivedpower-related information failing to meet a first condition; andadjusting the power provided to the patch antennas to a half of themagnitude of the power to which the power is previously adjusted for thepatch antennas in in response to the received power-related informationmeeting the preset first condition and failing to meet a preset secondcondition.

Transmitting the power in the detected direction may include adjusting aphase of the power inputted to each of the patch antennas so that thesub-RF waves of the first magnitude constructively interfere with eachother in the detected direction.

Adjusting the phase of the power inputted to each of the patch antennasmay include adjusting the phase of the power inputted to each of thepatch antennas by controlling each of phase shifters.

Transmitting the power in the detected direction may include adjusting amagnitude of the power inputted to each of the patch antennas so thatthe sub-RF waves of the first magnitude constructively interfere witheach other in the detected direction.

The communication signal may include at least one of identificationinformation about the electronic device and rated power informationabout the electronic device, and wherein the method further may includedetermining whether to charge the electronic device based on at leastone of the identification information about the electronic device andthe rated power information about the electronic device.

The method may further include: determining to charge the electronicdevice, may detect a movement of the electronic device while chargingthe electronic device with the sub-RF waves of the first magnitude; andvarying at least one of a magnitude of the sub-RF waves and thedetermined direction corresponding to the movement of the electronicdevice, and charges the electronic device.

Detecting the movement of the electronic device may include detectingthe movement of the electronic device using movement information aboutthe electronic device in a second communication signal received fromcommunication antennas in the wireless power transmitting device,detecting the movement of the electronic device based on a time ofreception of a third communication signal by each of the communicationantennas, or detecting the movement of the electronic devicecorresponding to a failure to meet a preset condition of received (RX)power-related information in a fourth communication signal receivedafter the reception of the third communication signal from thecommunication antennas.

The method may further include: receiving another communication signalfrom another electronic device; and determining a direction in which theother electronic device is positioned based on at least one of adifference in time of reception and a difference in phase of the othercommunication signal by each of communication antennas in the wirelesspower transmitting device from the other electronic device.

The method may further include: dividing the patch antennas into a firstpatch antenna group for charging the electronic device and a secondpatch antenna group for charging the other electronic device based onany one or any combination of any two or more of a direction in whichthe electronic device is positioned, a direction in which the otherelectronic device is positioned, rated power information about theelectronic device, and rated power information about the otherelectronic device; and enabling the first patch antenna group to chargethe electronic device and the second patch antenna group to charge theother electronic device.

The method may further include: enabling the patch antennas to chargethe electronic device during a first period and the patch antennas tocharge the other electronic device during a second period.

In accordance with an embodiment, there is a method of a wireless powertransmitting device, including: determining at least one of phases andamplitudes of sub-radio frequency (RF) waves generated from patchantennas; determining power magnitude applied to each of the patchantennas; forming an RF wave in a direction toward an electronic deviceusing the determined power magnitude and the at least one of the phasesand the amplitudes of the sub-RF waves; receiving information from theelectronic device about power corresponding to the formed RF wave; inresponse to the received power information being below a threshold,adjusting the power magnitude applied to each patch antenna to form anadjusted RF wave; and in response to the received power informationexceeding the threshold, maintaining the power magnitude applied to eachpatch antenna through the formed RF wave to perform wireless charging ofthe electronic device.

The method, wherein upon determining that the electronic device ispositioned relatively to a side of the wireless power transmittingdevice, may further include: generating the sub-RF waves from two ormore patch antennas positioned relatively to the side of the wirelesspower transmitting device after a generation of the sub-RF waves fromother two or more patch antennas positioned relatively to another sideof the wireless power transmitting device.

The sub-RF waves generated from the patch antennas may constructivelyinterfere with each other based on a position of each patch antenna withrespect to the electronic device.

The method may further include: detecting a movement of the electronicdevice while charging the electronic device with the sub-RF waves;varying at least one of the phases and the amplitudes of the sub-RFwaves corresponding to the movement of the electronic device; adjustingthe power magnitude applied to each patch antenna; and forming anadjusted RF wave in a direction toward the movement of the electronicdevice using the adjusted power magnitude and the varied at least one ofthe phases and the amplitudes of the sub-RF waves to charge theelectronic device.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the disclosure willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless power transmission system, according to anembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method to control a wireless powertransmitting device, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless power transmittingdevice, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates a difference in time of reception of communicationsignals, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method to control a wireless powertransmitting device, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method to control a wireless powertransmitting device, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a concept view illustrating a configuration to determine thedistance between a wireless power transmitting device and an electronicdevice, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method to control a wireless powertransmitting device, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a concept view illustrating a binary detection method,according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are block diagrams illustrating a wireless powertransmitting device, according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate wireless charging for a plurality ofelectronic devices, according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are flowcharts illustrating a method to control aplurality of electronic devices, according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 13 to 15 are flowcharts illustrating a method for controlling awireless power transmitting device according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a wireless powertransmitting device and an electronic device, according to anembodiment.

Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, the same referencenumerals refer to the same elements. The drawings may not be to scale,and the relative size, proportions, and depiction of elements in thedrawings may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader ingaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses,and/or systems described herein. However, various changes,modifications, and equivalents of the methods, apparatuses, and/orsystems described herein will be apparent after an understanding of thedisclosure of this application. For example, the sequences of operationsdescribed herein are merely examples, and are not limited to those setforth herein, but may be changed as will be apparent after anunderstanding of the disclosure of this application, with the exceptionof operations necessarily occurring in a certain order. Also,descriptions of features that are known in the art may be omitted forincreased clarity and conciseness.

The features described herein may be embodied in different forms, andare not to be construed as being limited to the examples describedherein. Rather, the examples described herein have been provided merelyto illustrate some of the many possible ways of implementing themethods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein that will beapparent after an understanding of the disclosure of this application.

Throughout the specification, when an element, such as a layer, region,or substrate, is described as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupledto” another element, it may be directly “on,” “connected to,” or“coupled to” the other element, or there may be one or more otherelements intervening therebetween. In contrast, when an element isdescribed as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directlycoupled to” another element, there can be no other elements interveningtherebetween.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any one and any combinationof any two or more of the associated listed items.

Although terms such as “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used hereinto describe various members, components, regions, layers, or sections,these members, components, regions, layers, or sections are not to belimited by these terms. Rather, these terms are only used to distinguishone member, component, region, layer, or section from another member,component, region, layer, or section. Thus, a first member, component,region, layer, or section referred to in examples described herein mayalso be referred to as a second member, component, region, layer, orsection without departing from the teachings of the examples.

Spatially relative terms such as “above,” “upper,” “below,” and “lower”may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element'srelationship to another element as shown in the figures. Such spatiallyrelative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of thedevice in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted inthe figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over,an element described as being “above” or “upper” relative to anotherelement will then be “below” or “lower” relative to the other element.Thus, the term “above” encompasses both the above and below orientationsdepending on the spatial orientation of the device. The device may alsobe oriented in other ways (for example, rotated 90 degrees or at otherorientations), and the spatially relative terms used herein are to beinterpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for describing various examples only, andis not to be used to limit the disclosure. The articles “a,” “an,” and“the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless thecontext clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “includes,”and “has” specify the presence of stated features, numbers, operations,members, elements, and/or combinations thereof, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, operations,members, elements, and/or combinations thereof.

Due to manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, variations of theshapes shown in the drawings may occur. Thus, the examples describedherein are not limited to the specific shapes shown in the drawings, butinclude changes in shape that occur during manufacturing.

The features of the examples described herein may be combined in variousways as will be apparent after an understanding of the disclosure ofthis application. Further, although the examples described herein have avariety of configurations, other configurations are possible as will beapparent after an understanding of the disclosure of this application.

For example, examples of the wireless power transmitting device orelectronic device, according to various embodiments, may include atleast one of a smartphone, a tablet personal computer (PC), a mobilephone, a video phone, an e-book reader, a desktop PC, a laptop computer,a netbook computer, a workstation, a server, a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a MP3 player, amedical device, a camera, or a wearable device. The wearable device mayinclude at least one of an accessory-type device (e.g., a watch, a ring,a bracelet, an anklet, a necklace, glasses, contact lenses, or ahead-mounted device (HMD)), a fabric- or clothes-integrated device(e.g., electronic clothes), a body attaching-type device (e.g., a skinpad), or a body implantable device. In some embodiments, examples of thewireless power transmitting device or electronic device may include atleast one of a television, a digital video disk (DVD) player, an audioplayer, a refrigerator, an air conditioner, a cleaner, an oven, amicrowave oven, a washer, a drier, an air cleaner, a set-top box, a homeautomation control panel, a security control panel, a media box, agaming console, an electronic dictionary, an electronic key, acamcorder, or an electronic picture frame.

According to an embodiment, examples of the wireless power transmittingdevice or electronic device may include at least one of various medicaldevices (e.g., diverse portable medical measuring devices (a blood sugarmeasuring device, a heartbeat measuring device, or a body temperaturemeasuring device), a magnetic resource angiography (MRA) device, amagnetic resource imaging (MRI) device, a computed tomography (CT)device, an imaging device, or an ultrasonic device), a navigationdevice, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver, an eventdata recorder (EDR), a flight data recorder (FDR), an automotiveinfotainment device, an sailing electronic device (e.g., a sailingnavigation device or a gyro compass), avionics, security devices,vehicular head units, industrial or home robots, drones, automaticteller's machines (ATMs), point of sales (POS) devices, or internet ofthings (IoT) devices (e.g., a bulb, various sensors, a sprinkler, a firealarm, a thermostat, a street light, a toaster, fitness equipment, a hotwater tank, a heater, or a boiler).

According to various embodiments, examples of the wireless powertransmitting device or electronic device may at least one of part of apiece of furniture, building/structure or vehicle, an electronic board,an electronic signature receiving device, a projector, or variousmeasurement devices (e.g., devices for measuring water, electricity,gas, or electromagnetic waves).

According to embodiments, the wireless power transmitting device orelectronic device may be flexible or may be a combination of theabove-enumerated electronic devices. According to an embodiment, thewireless power transmitting device or electronic device is not limitedto the above-listed embodiments. As used herein, the term “user” maydenote a human using the electronic device or another device (e.g., anartificial intelligent electronic device) using the wireless powertransmitting device or electronic device.

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless power transmission system, according to anembodiment.

The wireless power transmitting device 100 is to wirelessly transmitpower to at least one electronic device 150 or 160. According to anembodiment, the wireless power transmitting device 100 includes aplurality of patch antennas 111 to 126. The patch antennas 111 to 126are not limited as long as each is configured to be an antenna togenerate radio frequency (RF) waves. At least one of an amplitude and aphase of RF waves generated by the patch antennas 111 to 126 is adjustedby the wireless power transmitting device 100. For ease of description,RF wave generated by a single patch antenna 111 to 126 is denoted as asub-RF wave.

According to an embodiment, the wireless power transmitting device 100adjusts at least one of the amplitude and the phase of each of thesub-RF waves generated from each corresponding patch antennas 111 to126.

At times, the sub-RF waves may interfere with each other. For example,the sub-RF waves may constructively interfere, such as supplementing astrength of a sub-RF wave with another sub-RF wave, with each other atone point or destructively interfere, such as at least two sub-RF wavescanceling each other or diminishing an intensity of one sub-RF wave byanother sub-RF wave, at another point. According to an embodiment, thewireless power transmitting device 100 may adjust at least one of theamplitude and phase of each of the sub-RF waves generated by the patchantennas 111 to 126 so that the sub-RF waves may constructivelyinterfere with each other at a first point (x1, y1, z1). In oneconfiguration, the first point (x1, y1, z1) is a position or location ofthe electronic device 150.

For example, the wireless power transmitting device 100 determines thatan electronic device 150 is positioned at the first point (x1, y1, z1).Here, the position of the electronic device 150 may be the positionwhere, for instance, a power receiving antenna of the electronic device150 is located. A method to determine the position of the electronicdevice 150 is described below in greater detail. In order for theelectronic device 150 to wirelessly receive power at a highertransmission efficiency, the sub-RF waves need to constructivelyinterfere with each other at the first point (x1, y1, z1). Accordingly,the wireless power transmitting device 100 controls the patch antennas111 to 126 so that the sub-RF waves constructively interfere with eachother at the first point (x1, y1, z1). In an example, controlling thepatch antennas 111 to 126 means controlling the magnitude of signalsinputted to the patch antennas 111 to 126 or controlling the phase (ordelay) of signals inputted to the patch antennas 111 to 126. Further,beamforming, a technique to control RF waves to be subject or exposed toconstructive interference at a certain point, would readily be apparentafter an understanding of the disclosure of this application. It is alsoapparent after an understanding of the disclosure of this applicationthat the beamforming used herein is not particularly limited in type.For example, various beamforming methods may be adopted as disclosed inU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0099611, U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2016/0099755, and U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2016/0100124, which are hereby incorporated byreference. An RF wave formed through beamforming is referred to as apocket of energy.

Thus, an RF wave 130 formed by the sub-RF waves has a maximum amplitudeat the first point (x1, y1, z1). At the first point (x1, y1, z1), theelectronic device 150 receives power at a relatively higher efficiency.Further, the wireless power transmitting device 100 also detects anelectronic device 160 positioned at a second point (x2, y2, z2). Thewireless power transmitting device 100 controls the patch antennas 111to 126 so that the sub-RF waves constructively interfere with each otherat the second point (x2, y2, z2) in order to charge the electronicdevice 160. Thus, an RF wave 131 formed by the sub-RF waves has amaximum amplitude at the second point (x2, y2, z2). At the second point(x2, y2, z2), the electronic device 160 receives power at a relativelyhigher efficiency.

In an embodiment, the electronic device 150 is positioned relatively tothe electronic device 160 and the wireless power transmitting device 100at a right side thereof. In this embodiment, the wireless powertransmitting device 100 applies a relatively greater delay to sub-RFwaves formed by the patch antennas (e.g., 114, 118, 122, and 126)positioned relatively to a right side of or closest to the electronicdevice 150. In other words, a predetermined time after the sub-RF wavesare formed by patch antennas (e.g., 111, 115, 119, and 123) positionedrelatively to a left side of or furthest to the electronic device 150,sub-RF waves are generated by the patch antennas (e.g., 114, 118, 122,and 126) positioned relatively to the right side. Thus, the sub-RF wavesare configured to simultaneously meet at a relatively right-side point.In other words, the sub-RF waves may constructively interfere with eachother at the relatively right-side point. Where beamforming is conductedat a relatively middle point of the wireless power transmitting device100, the wireless power transmitting device 100 applies substantiallythe same delay to the left-side patch antennas (e.g., 111, 115, 119, and123) and the right-side patch antennas (e.g., 114, 118, 122, and 126).Further, where beamforming is conducted at a relatively left-side point,the wireless power transmitting device 100 may apply a greater delay tothe left-side patch antennas (e.g., 111, 115, 119, and 123) than to theright-side patch antennas (e.g., 114, 118, 122, and 126) of the wirelesspower transmitting device 100. Also, according to an embodiment, thewireless power transmitting device 100 substantially at a same time orsimultaneously generates sub-RF waves through all of the patch antennas111 to 126 and perform beamforming by adjusting the phase correspondingto the above-described delay.

As set forth above, the wireless power transmitting device 100determines the position of the electronic devices 150 and 160 andenables the sub-RF waves to constructively interfere with each other atthe determined position, allowing for wireless charging at a highertransmission efficiency. Further, the wireless power transmitting device100 performs high-transmission efficiency wireless charging upondetection of the position of the electronic devices 150 and 160.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method to control a wireless powertransmitting device, according to an embodiment.

In operation 210, the wireless power transmitting device, for example,the wireless power transmitting device 100 described in FIG. 1, forms anRF for detecting an electronic device, such as the electronic device 150of FIG. 1, in a first direction. In operation 220, the wireless powertransmitting device receives power-related information from theelectronic device. In an example, the power-related information isinformation related to power that the electronic device receives fromthe wireless power transmitting device. For example, the power-relatedinformation includes magnitude of voltage, current, temperature, orpower at a particular point, which is described below in further detail.The power-related information is not limited to such information; andadditional information related to the magnitude of power that theelectronic device receives from the wireless power transmitting devicemay be included. In operation 230, the wireless power transmittingdevice determines whether the received power-related information meets apreset condition. For example, the wireless power transmitting devicedetermines whether a voltage value an output end of an electronic devicerectifier exceeds a preset threshold. The voltage value at the outputend of the rectifier exceeding the preset threshold voltage isindicative that the electronic device has wirelessly received asufficient magnitude of power.

In contrast, upon failure to meet the preset condition, at operation240, the wireless power transmitting device varies or adjusts adirection in which the RF wave is to be formed. Failure to meet thepreset condition is determined to be the electronic device's failure toreceive a sufficient amount or magnitude of power. The wireless powertransmitting device varies the direction of RF wave until the presetcondition is satisfied. In an embodiment, the wireless powertransmitting device varies or adjusts a transmission of the RF wave in aparticular direction by controlling at least one of the amplitude andphase of the sub-RF waves produced by particular antennas in thewireless power transmitting device so that the sub-RF wavesconstructively interfere with each other at a point in the particulardirection. Upon meeting the preset condition, in operation 250, thewireless power transmitting device determines that the direction of RFwave is in the direction in which the electronic device is located orpositioned. In operation 260, the wireless power transmitting deviceforms an RF wave for wireless power transmission in the determineddirection. Meanwhile, as described above, varying the direction offormation of RF wave until the preset condition renders determination ofthe position of the electronic device to take long.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless power transmittingdevice, according to an embodiment.

A wireless power transmitting device 300 includes a power source 301, apower transmission antenna array (or an antenna array for powertransmission) 310, a processor 320, a memory 330, a communicationcircuit 340, and antennas 341 to 343 for communication. An electronicdevice 350 is a device configured to wirelessly receive power andincludes a power reception antenna (or an antenna for power reception)351, a rectifier 352, a converter 353, a charger 354, a processor 355, amemory 356, a communication circuit 357, and an antenna 358 forcommunication.

The power source 301 supplies power to be transmitted to the powertransmission antenna array 310. The power source 301 supplies, forinstance, direct current (DC) power, in which case the wireless powertransmitting device 300 may further include an inverter (not shown) thatconverts DC power into alternating current (AC) power and delivers theAC power to the power transmission antenna array 310. Also, according toan embodiment, the power source 301 supplies AC power to the powertransmission antenna array 310.

The power transmission antenna array 310 includes patch antennas. Forexample, the patch antennas as shown in FIG. 1 are in the powertransmission antenna array 310. A number or array form of the patchantennas is not limited. The power transmission antenna array 310 mayform an RF wave using the power received from the power source 301. Thepower transmission antenna array 310 forms the RF wave in a particulardirection under the control of the processor 320. In an example, the RFwave is formed in a particular direction by controlling at least one ofthe amplitude and phase of sub-RF waves so that the sub-RF wavesconstructively interfere with each other at a point in the particulardirection. For example, the processor 320 controls each of phaseshifters connected to the power transmission antenna array 310 or of atleast one power amplifier included or connected to the powertransmission antenna array 310, which is described below in more detailwith reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B. Meanwhile, the power transmissionantenna array 310 transmits power and may be referred to as an antennafor power transmission.

The processor 320 determines the direction in which the electronicdevice 350 is positioned to form the RF wave based on the determineddirection. In other words, the processor 320 controls the patch antennasof the power transmission antenna array 310 that generates sub-RF wavesso that the sub-RF waves constructively interfere with each other at apoint in the determined direction. For example, the processor 320controls at least one of the amplitude and phase of the sub-RF wavegenerated from each patch antenna by controlling the patch antennas orat least one of phase shifter (not shown) and a power amplifier (notshown) connected with the patch antennas.

The processor 320 determines the direction in which the electronicdevice 350 is positioned using communication signals received from theantennas 341 to 343. In other words, the processor 320 controls at leastone of the amplitude and phase of the sub-RF wave generated from eachpatch antenna using the communication signals received from thecommunication antennas 341 to 343. Although three communication antennas341 to 343 are shown, this is merely an example, and the number ofcommunication antennas is not limited. For instance, at least twocommunication antennas 341 to 342 may be included in the embodiment ofthe wireless power transmitting device 300. According to an embodiment,at least three communication antennas 341 to 343 are included todetermine a three-dimensional (3D) direction, e.g., values θ and φ inthe spherical coordinate system. Specifically, the communication antenna358 of the electronic device 350 transmits a communication signal 359.According to an embodiment, the communication signal 359 includesidentification information identifying the electronic device 350 orincludes information required to wireless charging. Thus, the wirelesspower transmitting device 300 determines the direction of the electronicdevice 350 using the communication signal for wireless charging, evenwithout a separate hardware structure. Further, reception times of thecommunication signal 359 at the communication antennas 341 to 343 maydiffer. This is described below in greater detail with reference to FIG.4.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the electronic device 350 is positioned orlocated at a first point 410. The electronic device 350 generates acommunication signal that propagates, in space, in a shape of sphericalwaves as shown in FIG. 4. The spherical waves propagate from the firstpoint 410. The first point 410 is a point where the communicationantenna 358 of the electronic device 350 is positioned. Accordingly, atime in which the communication signal from the electronic device 350,through the communication antenna 358, is received at a firstcommunication antenna 341, a time when the communication signal isreceived at a second communication antenna 342, and a time when thecommunication signal is received at a third communication antenna 343may differ. For example, the first communication antenna 341 closest tothe first point 410 first receive the communication signal, the secondcommunication antenna 342 subsequently receives the communication signalnext, and the third communication antenna 343 lastly receives thecommunication signal. FIG. 4 shows mere an example, and although thecommunication signal has a directional waveform, the times of receptionby the communication antennas 341, 342, and 343 may be different.According to an embodiment, the wireless power transmitting device 300may include three or more communication antennas, e.g., for the purposeof determining the direction of reception of the communication signal ina 3D space.

The processor 320 of the wireless power transmitting device 300determines a direction of the electronic device 350 relative to thewireless power transmitting device 300 using the times (e.g., t1, t2,and t3) of reception of the communication signal by the communicationantennas 341, 342, and 343. For example, the processor 320 determines adirection of the electronic device 350 relative to the wireless powertransmitting device 300 by determining time differences t1−t2, t2−t3,and t3−t1 between the times t1, t2, and t3. For example, as t1−t2becomes closer to 0, the electronic device 350 may be determined to bemore likely to be positioned on the line perpendicularly passing throughthe center of the line connecting the communication antenna 341 with thecommunication antenna 342. Further, as t1−t2 is a relatively greaterpositive value, the electronic device 350 may be determined to be morelikely to be positioned closer to the communication antenna 342.Further, as t1−t2 is a relatively greater negative value, the electronicdevice 350 may be determined to be more likely to be positioned closerto the communication antenna 341. The wireless power transmitting device300 determines the 3D direction of the electronic device 350 relative tothe wireless power transmitting device 300 by considering all of t1−t2,t2−t3, and t3−t1. The processor 320 determines a relative direction ofthe electronic device 350 using a process or method to determine adirection and stored in, for instance, the memory 330. According to anembodiment, the processor 320 determines a relative direction of theelectronic device 350 using a lookup table between the direction of theelectronic device and the difference in reception time per communicationantenna, which is stored in, for example, the memory 330. The wirelesspower transmitting device 300 (or the processor 320) determines arelative direction of the electronic device 350 in various manners. Forexample, the wireless power transmitting device 300 (or the processor320) determines a relative direction of the electronic device 350 invarious ways, such as time difference of arrival (TDOA) or frequencydifference of arrival (FDOA), and determining process of determining thedirection of received signal is not limited in type.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment, the wireless power transmittingdevice 300 determines a relative direction of the electronic device 350based on the phase of a communication signal received. As illustrated inFIG. 4, the distances between the communication antenna 358 of theelectronic device 350 and the communication antennas 341, 342, and 343of the wireless power transmitting device 300 differ. Thus, thecommunication signal generated from the communication antenna 358 andreceived at each communication antenna 341, 342, and 343 has a differentphase. The processor 320 determines the direction of the electronicdevice 350 based on the differences in phase of the communication signalreceived by the communication antennas 341, 342, and 343.

The processor 320 then forms an RF wave in the direction of theelectronic device 350 by controlling the power transmission antennaarray 310 based on the direction of the electronic device 350. Further,the processor 320 identifies the electronic device 350 using informationcontained in the communication signal 359.

The communication signal 359 includes a unique identifier and a uniqueaddress of the electronic device 350. The communication circuit 340processes the communication signal 359 and provides information to theprocessor 320. The communication circuit 340 and the communicationantennas 341, 342, and 343 may be manufactured based on variouscommunication schemes, such as wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi), bluetooth,zig-bee, and bluetooth low energy (BLE), which are not limited to aparticular type. Further, the communication signal 359 includes ratedpower information about the electronic device 350. The processor 320determines whether to charge the electronic device 350 based on at leastone of the unique identifier, unique address, and rated powerinformation of the electronic device 350. The processor 320 may includeone or more of a central processing unit (CPU), an application processor(AP), or a communication processor (CP), and the processor 320 may beimplemented as a micro-controller unit or a mini computer.

Further, the wireless power transmitting device 300 processes thecommunication signal 359 to identify the electronic device 350, totransmit power to the electronic device 350, to send a request for RXpower-related information to the electronic device 350, and to receivepower-related information from the electronic device 350. In otherwords, the communication signal 359 may be used in a process for asubscription, command, or request between the wireless powertransmitting device 300 and the electronic device 350.

Meanwhile, the processor 320 controls the power transmission antennaarray 310 to form an RF wave 311 in the determined direction of theelectronic device 350. The processor 320 forms the RF wave to detect anddetermine the distance to the electronic device 350 using anothercommunication signal subsequently received as a feedback, which isdescribed below in greater detail.

Thus, the processor 320 determines the direction of the electronicdevice 350 and the distance to the electronic device 350 and, thus,determines the position of the electronic device 350. The processor 320controls the patch antennas so that the sub-RF waves generated from thepatch antennas constructively interfere with each other at the positionof the electronic device 350. Therefore, the RF wave 311 may betransferred to the power reception antenna 351 at a relatively hightransmission efficiency. The power reception antenna 351 at theelectronic device 350 is an antenna configured to receive RF waves.Further, the power reception antenna 351 may be implemented in the formof an array of a plurality of antennas. The AC power received by thepower reception antenna 351 may be rectified into DC power by therectifier 352. The converter 353 may convert the DC power into a voltagerequired and provide the voltage to the charger 354. The charger 354 maycharge a battery (not shown). Although not shown, the converter 353 mayprovide the converted power to a power management integrated circuit(PMIC) (not shown), and the PMIC (not shown) may provide power tovarious hardware structures of the electronic device 350.

Also, the processor 355 monitors the voltage at the output end of therectifier 352. For example, the electronic device 350 may furtherinclude a voltage meter connected to the output end of the rectifier352. The processor 355 receives a voltage value from the voltage meterand monitors the voltage at the output end of the rectifier 352. Theprocessor 355 provides information containing the voltage value at theoutput end of the rectifier 352 to the communication circuit 357.Although the charger 354, converter 353, and PMIC may be implemented indifferent hardware devices, at least two of these devices may beintegrated into a single hardware device.

Further, the voltage meter may be implemented in various types, such asan electrodynamic instrument voltage meter, an electrostatic voltagemeter, or a digital voltage meter, without limited in type thereto. Thecommunication circuit 357 transmits the communication signal includingRX power-related information using the communication antenna 358. Thereceived power-related information is information associated with themagnitude of power received, such as, for instance, the voltage at theoutput end of the rectifier 352, and includes a current at the outputend of the rectifier 352. In this embodiment, the electronic device 350may further include a current meter to measure current at the output endof the rectifier 352. The current meter may be implemented in varioustypes, such as a DC current meter, AC current meter, or digital currentmeter, without limited in type thereto. Further, the receivedpower-related information may be measured at any point of the electronicdevice 350, but not only at the output or input end of the rectifier352.

Further, as set forth above, the processor 355 transmits a communicationsignal 359 including identification information about the electronicdevice 350. The memory 356 stores a process or method to control varioushardware devices or elements in the electronic device 350.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method to control a wireless powertransmitting device, according to an embodiment.

In operation 510, a wireless power transmitting device (or a processor)receives a communication signal from an electronic device through eachof a plurality of communication antennas. In operation 520, the wirelesspower transmitting device determines the direction from the wirelesspower transmitting device to the electronic device based on at least oneof differences in time of reception and differences in phase betweencommunication signals respectively received through the communicationantennas.

In operation 530, the wireless power transmitting device (or a pluralityof antenna patches) controls the patch antennas to form the RF wavecorresponding to each of test distances in the determined direction.

In operation 540, the wireless power transmitting device determines thedistance between the wireless power transmitting device and theelectronic device based on the received power-related information fromthe electronic device. Specifically, the wireless power transmittingdevice provides a first magnitude of power to the patch antennas. The RFwave has a first distance in which case the wireless power transmittingdevice receives RX power-related information (for instance, voltage atthe output end of the rectifier of the electronic device) from theelectronic device. Further, the wireless power transmitting deviceprovides a second magnitude of power to the patch antennas. The RF wavehas a second distance in which case the wireless power transmittingdevice receives RX power-related information (for instance, voltage atthe output end of the rectifier of the electronic device) from theelectronic device. In an example, varying the distance of formation ofthe RF wave means that the wireless power transmitting device varies thepoint where the sub-RF waves constructively interfere with each other.For example, the distance of formation of RF wave is varied by changingthe magnitude of power applied to the patch antennas.

In an embodiment, where the electronic device is positioned away fromthe wireless power transmitting device by a second distance, arelatively large magnitude of power is received where the wireless powertransmitting device forms a second distance of RF wave. Accordingly, thevoltage at the output end of the electronic device has a relativelylarge value. The wireless power transmitting device determines that theelectronic device is positioned away from the wireless powertransmitting device at the second distance, based on the receivedpower-related information (for instance, the voltage at the output endof the rectifier) from the electronic device. The wireless powertransmitting device may pre-store information about the relationshipbetween the distance and magnitude of power applied and may determinethe distance using the relationship information. Further, according toan embodiment, the wireless power transmitting device may not determinethe distance to the electronic device, which is described below ingreater detail.

The wireless power transmitting device determines the position of theelectronic device by determining the distance from the wireless powertransmitting device and the direction of the electronic device. Thewireless power transmitting device controls each of the patch antennasso that the sub-RF waves constructively interfere with each other at theposition of the electronic device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method to control a wireless powertransmitting device, according to an embodiment. The embodiment shown inFIG. 6 is described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7is a concept view illustrating a configuration to determine the distancebetween a wireless power transmitting device and an electronic device750 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In operation 610, as illustrated in, e.g., FIG. 7, the wireless powertransmitting device 700 determines at least one of the phase andamplitude of sub-RF waves generated from the patch antennas 711 to 726to form an RF wave for detection in a determined direction (θ,φ). Forexample, upon determining that the electronic device 750 is positionedrelatively to a right side of the wireless power transmitting device700, the wireless power transmitting device 700 applies a relativelylarge delay to sub-RF waves generated from patch antennas positionedrelatively to the right side, compared to sub-RF waves generated frompatch antennas positioned relatively to a left side of the wirelesspower transmitting device 700, so that the sub-RF waves generated fromthe patch antennas 711 to 726 constructively interfere with each other,by considering the position or the location of each patch antenna 711 to726 in the wireless power transmitting device 700 with respect to theelectronic device 750. In other words, the sub-RF waves from the patchantennas positioned relatively at the right side of the wireless powertransmitting device 700 may be generated after or within a predeterminedtime delay after the sub-RF waves from the patch antennas positionedrelatively to the left side of the wireless power transmitting device700, and accordingly, the sub-RF waves from the patch antennas maysimultaneously meet, that is, constructively interfere with each otherat a relatively right-side point. Furthermore, as described above, thewireless power transmitting device 700 forms sub-RF waves from all thepatch antennas 711 to 726 substantially at a same time. In this case,the wireless power transmitting device 700 adjusts the phase of thesub-RF waves respectively generated from the patch antennas 711 to 726,allowing the sub-RF waves to constructively interfere with each otherrelatively to the right side of the wireless power transmitting device700.

In one illustrative example, upon determining that the electronic device750 is positioned relatively at an upper side of the wireless powertransmitting device 700, the wireless power transmitting device 700applies a relatively large delay to sub-RF waves generated from patchantennas positioned relatively at an upper side of the wireless powertransmitting device 700 so that the sub-RF waves generated from thepatch antennas 711 to 726 constructively interfere with each otherrelatively at an upper side. In other words, the sub-RF waves from thepatch antennas positioned relatively at an upper side are generatedlater than, after, or subsequent to the sub-RF waves from the patchantennas positioned relatively at a lower side. Accordingly, the sub-RFwaves from the patch antennas simultaneously meet, that is,constructively interfere with each other at a relatively upper-sidepoint. The wireless power transmitting device 700 applies differentdelays to the patch antennas 711 to 726, respectively, arranged intwo-dimension (2D), allowing or enabling the RF wave generated by eachof the patch antennas 711 to 726 to have a different phase.

In operation 620, the wireless power transmitting device 700 determinesthe magnitude of power applied to each patch antenna 711 to 726 so thatan RF wave 731 for detection is formed corresponding to a first testdistance. According to an embodiment, the wireless power transmittingdevice 700 directly determines the magnitude of a first test powerprovided to the patch antennas 711 to 726 without determining distance.In an example, the first test distance or the magnitude of the firsttest power has a default value.

In operation 630, the wireless power transmitting device 700 forms theRF wave 731 corresponding to the first test distance using thedetermined power applied to each patch antenna 711 to 726 and at leastone of the determined phase and amplitude of the RF wave generated byeach patch antenna 711 to 726.

In operation 640, the wireless power transmitting device 700 receivesfrom the electronic device 750 information related to power received bythe electronic device 750, for instance, RX power-related information.In operation 650, the wireless power transmitting device 700 determineswhether the received power-related information meets a preset condition.For example, the wireless power transmitting device 700 determineswhether the voltage at the output end of the rectifier of the electronicdevice 750, which is the received power-related information, exceeds apreset threshold, such as an optimal power operating threshold for theelectronic device 750 to operate at its optimum capacity.

In response to the received power-related information failing to meetthe preset condition, in operation 660, the wireless power transmittingdevice 700 adjusts the power applied to each patch antenna 711 to 726 toform an RF wave 732 for detection corresponding to a next test distance.

As set forth above, the wireless power transmitting device 700determines the magnitude of next test power without determining a testdistance and applies the same, that is, the next test power, to eachpatch antenna 711 to 726. Further, although FIG. 7 illustrates that thewireless power transmitting device 700 increases the test distance, thatis, the magnitude of power to be supplied or applied, such is merely anexample. The wireless power transmitting device 700 may also reduce thetest distance, for instance, the magnitude of power applied. Also, thewireless power transmitting device 700 adjusts the magnitude of powerapplied to each patch antenna 711 to 726 until the receivedpower-related information meets the preset condition.

In response to the received power-related information meeting the presetcondition, in operation 670, the wireless power transmitting device 700maintains the power applied to each patch antenna to send out an RF waveand performs wireless charging. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, wherean RF wave 733 is formed to have a third test distance, the receivedpower-related information may be determined to be met. The wirelesspower transmitting device 700 maintains the magnitude of power appliedto each patch antenna 711 to 726 so as to maintain the formation of theRF wave 733 in the third test distance. The wireless power transmittingdevice 700 determines that the distance to the electronic device 750 isthe third test distance R or controls power applied to each patchantenna 711 to 726, without determining the distance to the electronicdevice 750.

As described above, the wireless power transmitting device 700determines the distance to the electronic device 750 and controls thepatch antennas so that the sub-RF waves constructively interfere witheach other at a corresponding point, allowing for wireless transmissionat a relatively high transmission efficiency.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method to control a wireless powertransmitting device, according to an embodiment. The embodiment shown inFIG. 8 is described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9is a concept view illustrating a binary detection method, according toan embodiment.

Operations 810 to 830 are substantially similar to operations 610 to 630of FIG. 6, and the description previously provided for those functionsare incorporated herein.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, in operation 840, the wireless powertransmitting device determines whether the received power-relatedinformation meets a preset first condition. In an embodiment, the firstcondition is a condition corresponding to where the distance between theelectronic device and the point where the sub-RF waves constructivelyinterfere with each other is less than a first threshold. As thedistance between the electronic device and the point where the sub-RFwaves constructively interfere with each other increases, the electronicdevice receives a relatively small or low magnitude of power.Accordingly, e.g., the voltage at the output end of the rectifier of theelectronic device has a relatively small value. Resultantly, thedistance between the electronic device and the point where the sub-RFwaves constructively interfere with each other is associated with RXpower-related information about the electronic device, such as, thevoltage at the output end of the rectifier. For example, the voltage atthe output end of the rectifier of the electronic device being more than5V and not more than 10V may be the first condition, and exceeding 10Vmay be a second condition, wherein the voltage values are mere examples.The second condition may be a condition corresponding to where thedistance between the electronic device and the point where the sub-RFwaves constructively interfere with each other is less than a secondthreshold. The second threshold may be smaller than the first threshold.

Further, the above-described conditions may be set to be different pertype of electronic device.

Upon determining that the received power-related information fails tomeet the first condition, in operation 850, the wireless powertransmitting device increases the power applied to the patch antenna 910by first power. Referring to FIG. 9, it can be shown that the patchantenna 910 used to first form an RF wave 911 in a distance R1 forms anRF wave 912 in a distance R2. This can be attributed to an increase ofpower applied to the patch antenna 910 to the first power. Further, thewireless power transmitting device increases the power applied to thepatch antenna 910 to the first power until the received power-relatedinformation meets the preset first condition. Thus, as shown in FIG. 9,RF waves 913 and 914 are formed from the patch antenna 910 at points R3and R4, respectively.

Upon determining that the received power-related information meets thefirst condition, in operation 860, the wireless power transmittingdevice determines whether the received power-related information meets apreset second condition.

Upon determining that the received power-related information fails tomeet the second condition, in operation 870, the wireless powertransmitting device readjusts the power applied to the patch antenna 910to a half of the adjusted existing power. For example, as shown in FIG.9, the wireless power transmitting device reduces the power applied toeach patch antenna 910 by a half of the first power, which is adjustedexisting power. Accordingly, an RF wave 915 is formed at a distancepositioned R5 behind point R4. Upon determining that the receivedpower-related information meets the preset second condition, inoperation 880, the wireless power transmitting device maintains themagnitude of power applied to the patch antenna. For example, where theelectronic device is positioned at a point 950, the second condition ismet, and the wireless power transmitting device conducts wirelesscharging on the electronic device positioned at the point 950. At leastsome of the advantages of above process includes enabling a quickdetermination of the distance between the wireless power transmittingdevice and the electronic device or a determination of the magnitude ofpower applied to each patch antenna for swift wireless charging.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are block diagrams illustrating a wireless powertransmitting device, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 10A, a power source 1001 is connected to a poweramplifier (PA) 1002. The power amplifier 1002 amplifies power providedfrom the power source 1001, and an amplification gain of the poweramplifier 1002 is controlled by a processor 1030. For example, theprocessor 1030 determines a direction of an electronic device using acommunication signal of the electronic device delivered from acommunication circuit 1040. Further, as described above, in order todetermine the distance between the wireless power transmitting deviceand the electronic device in a determined direction or determine amagnitude of power applied to each patch antenna for which RXpower-related information meets a preset condition, the processor 1030controls the amplification gain of the power amplifier 1002 to form aplurality of RF waves.

Further, the power amplified by the power amplifier 1002 is provided toa divider 1003. The divider 1003 divides power between a plurality ofpatch antennas 105, 1007, and 1009. Further, phase shifters 1004, 1006,and 1008 are configured between the divider 1003 and the patch antennas1005, 1007, and 1009. The number of the phase shifters and the number ofthe patch antennas are merely examples, and a different number of phaseshifters or a different number of patch antennas may also be provided.As the phase shifters, hardware components, such as the hittitemicrowave corporation (HMC) 642 or HMC 1113, may be used. The phaseshifters 1004, 1006, and 1008 shift the phase of AC power received, andthe processor 1030 controls the degree of shift by the phase shifters1004, 1006, and 1008. The processor 1030 determines the degree of shiftinputted to each of the phase shifters 1004, 1006, and 1008 so that anRF wave is formed in the direction of the electronic device determinedusing the communication signal.

FIG. 10B is a block diagram illustrating a wireless power transmittingdevice according to an embodiment. In contrast to the embodiment of FIG.10A, where all of the patch antennas 1005, 1007, and 1009 are connectedto one divider 1003 and one power amplifier 1002, the embodiment of FIG.10B allows the wireless power transmitting device to include a pluralityof power amplifiers 1011 and 1021. Further, the wireless powertransmitting device includes dividers 1012 and 1022, respectivelyconnected to the plurality of power amplifiers 1011 and 1021. Phaseshifters 1013, 1015, and 1017 and patch antennas 1014, 1016, and 1018connected to the phase shifters 1013, 1015, and 1017 are connected tothe divider 1012. Phase shifters 1023, 1025, and 1027 and patch antennas1024, 1026, and 1028 connected to the phase shifters 1023, 1025, and1027 are connected to the divider 1022.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate wireless charging for a plurality ofelectronic devices, according to an embodiment.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 11A is described in greater detail withreference to FIG. 12A. Referring to FIG. 12A, in operation 1210, awireless power transmitting device 1100 determines the direction ofelectronic devices 1151 and 1152. The wireless power transmitting device1100 determines the direction of the electronic device 1151, based on acommunication signal from the first electronic device 1151, and thedirection of the electronic device 1152, based on a communication signalfrom the second electronic device 1152.

In operation 1220, the wireless power transmitting device 1100determines patch antenna groups 1101 and 1102 to charge the electronicdevices 1151 and 1152, respectively. In operation 1230, the wirelesspower transmitting device 1100 wirelessly charges the plurality ofelectronic devices 1151 and 1152 using the patch antenna groups 1101 and1102. The wireless power transmitting device 1100 determines thedistance from the first electronic device 1151 using the patch antennagroup 1101 and performs wireless charging based on the determineddistance. Further, the wireless power transmitting device 1100determines the distance from the second electronic device 1152 using thepatch antenna group 1102 and performs wireless charging based on thedetermined distance. Further, according to an embodiment, the wirelesspower transmitting device 1100 may also perform wireless chargingwithout determining distance, as described above. According to anembodiment, the wireless power transmitting device 1100 select the patchantenna groups 1101 and 1102 depending on the direction of each of theelectronic devices 1151 and 1152. For example, for the first electronicdevice 1151 determined to be positioned relatively at a left side of thewireless power transmitting device 1100, the wireless power transmittingdevice 1100 selects the patch antenna group 1101, which is positionedrelatively at a left side of the wireless power transmitting device1100. For the second electronic device 1152 determined to be positionedrelatively at a right side of the wireless power transmitting device1100, the wireless power transmitting device 1100 selects the patchantenna group 1102, which is positioned relatively at a right side ofthe wireless power transmitting device 1100. The patch antenna group1101 forms an RF wave 1111 to charge the first electronic device 1151,and the patch antenna group 1102 forms an RF wave 1112 to charge thesecond electronic device 1152.

Further, the wireless power transmitting device 1100 selects a number ofpatch antennas included in the patch antenna group based on the ratedpower of each of the electronic devices 1151 and 1152. For example, thewireless power transmitting device 1100 assigns a greater number ofpatch antennas to the electronic device 1151 or 1152 with relativelyhigh rated power. As set forth above, the electronic devices 1151 and1152 may be simultaneously charged.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 11B is described in greater detail withreference to FIG. 12B. Referring to FIG. 12B, a wireless powertransmitting device 1100 may determine the direction of a plurality ofelectronic devices 1151 and 1152 in operation 1210. In operation 1221,the wireless power transmitting device 1100 divides time to charge eachof the electronic devices 1151 and 1152. In operation 1231, the wirelesspower transmitting device 1100 wirelessly charges the electronic devices1151 and 1152 based on the divided charging time. For example, as shownin FIG. 11B, each of the patch antennas 1103 is controlled to form asub-RF wave to form an RF wave 1113 to charge the first electronicdevice 1151 for a first time t1, and the overall patch antenna 1103 isused to form an RF wave 1114 to charge the second electronic device 1152for a second time t2. According to an embodiment, the wireless powertransmitting device 1100 selects an electronic device 1151 or 1152 to becharged first depending on priority of the electronic devices 1151 and1152. In other words, the wireless power transmitting device 1100completes the charging of the higher-priority electronic device andperforms charging of the next-priority electronic device. In analternative, the wireless power transmitting device 1100 alternatelycharges the electronic devices 1151 and 1152. In other words, apredetermined time before completing the higher-priority electronicdevice, the wireless power transmitting device 1100 begins charging thenext-priority electronic device 1151 or 1152 for a predetermined timeand then resumes the charging of the higher-priority electronic device1151 or 1152.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method to control a wireless powertransmitting device, according to an embodiment.

In operation 1310, a wireless power transmitting device wirelesslycharges an electronic device. The wireless power transmitting deviceperforms the wireless charging using the direction of the electronicdevice and the distance to the electronic device as set forth above.

In operation 1320, the wireless power transmitting device detects a moveof the electronic device. In one embodiment, the wireless powertransmitting device detects the move of the electronic device based onRX power-related information from the electronic device. As theelectronic device moves, the electronic device may not receivesufficient power from the RF wave produced through constructiveinterference at the point where the electronic device used to belocated. As a result, the voltage at the output end of the electronicdevice also reduces. The wireless power transmitting device may detectthe displacement of the electronic device, corresponding to the receivedpower-related information's failure to meet a preset condition.

Alternatively, the wireless power transmitting device detects thedisplacement of the electronic device based on a communication signalfrom the electronic device. The wireless power transmitting devicecontinuously receives communication signals from the electronic deviceand continuously monitors the direction of the electronic device usingthe communication signals. Thus, the wireless power transmitting devicedetects a variation in the direction where the electronic device ispositioned.

According to an embodiment, the wireless power transmitting devicedirectly receives from the electronic device information about thedisplacement of the electronic device. The electronic device may includevarious sensors, such as a gyro sensor, a linear sensor, a geo-magneticsensor, and a global positioning satellite (GPS) sensor, which iscapable of a move. The electronic device detects the displacement of theelectronic device using the various sensors and produces displacementinformation as a communication signal and transmits the communicationsignal to the wireless power transmitting device. The wireless powertransmitting device detects the displacement of the electronic deviceusing the received displacement information.

In operation 1330, the wireless power transmitting device determines atleast one of the phase and amplitude for each patch antennacorresponding to the move of the electronic device and determines powerapplied to each patch antenna. In operation 1340, the wireless powertransmitting device forms an RF wave based on the determined powerapplied to each patch antenna and at least one of the determined phaseand amplitude for each patch antenna. In other words, the wireless powertransmitting device controls each patch antenna so that sub-RF waves mayconstructively interfere with each other at the position of theelectronic device that has moved. The wireless power transmitting devicere-detects a post-displacement or post-move position of the electronicdevice as per the above-described manner or controls the patch antennasdirectly using the move information.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a method to control a wireless powertransmitting device, according to an embodiment.

In operation 1410, the wireless power transmitting device receivessignals from an electronic device through communication antennas. Inoperation 1420, the wireless power transmitting device monitors thedirection from the wireless power transmitting device to the electronicdevice based on at least one of differences in time of reception anddifferences in phase between the communication signals received atrespective communication antennas. For example, as the electronic devicemoves, the difference in time of reception or the difference in phasemay vary between the communication antennas. In operation 1430, thewireless power transmitting device detects a movement or a displacementof the electronic device based on a result of monitoring.

In operation 1440, the wireless power transmitting device determines atleast one of the phase and amplitude for each patch antennacorresponding to the displacement of the electronic device anddetermines power applied to each patch antenna. The wireless powertransmitting device determines at least one of the phase and amplitudefor each patch antenna corresponding to the post-move position of theelectronic device and determines power applied to each patch antenna. Inoperation 1450, the wireless power transmitting device forms an RF wavebased on the determined power applied to each patch antenna and at leastone of the determined phase and amplitude for each patch antenna.Accordingly, the sub-RF waves constructively interfere with each otherat the post-displacement position of the electronic device.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a method to control a wireless powertransmitting device, according to an embodiment.

In operation 1510, the wireless power transmitting device receives acommunication signal containing displacement or movement informationabout an electronic device. In operation 1520, the wireless powertransmitting device detects the displacement or the move of theelectronic device by analyzing the move information. As set forth above,the electronic device obtains the displacement or movement informationusing a sensor configured to detect displacement or movement andtransmits a communication signal containing the obtained displacementinformation.

Meanwhile, operations 1530 and 1540 are substantially similar tooperations 1440 and 1450 of FIG. 14, and no further detailed descriptionthereof is presented.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a wireless powertransmitting device and an electronic device, according to anembodiment.

In operation 1610, an electronic device determines its position. Theelectronic device determines its position based on various indoorpositioning schemes. For example, the electronic device acquires anindoor geo-magnetic map and compares data sensed by a geo-magneticsensor with the acquired geo-magnetic map. The electronic devicedetermines its indoor position based on a result of the comparison. Inthe alternative, the electronic device also determines its indoorposition based on a Wi-Fi signal-based indoor positioning scheme. In afurther alternative, where the electronic device is positioned outdoors,the electronic device determines its position using a GPS module.

In operation 1620, the electronic device transmits a signal includingthe position information.

In operation 1630, a wireless power transmitting device determines atleast one of the phase and amplitude for each patch antenna based on theposition information from the electronic device and determines themagnitude of power applied to each patch antenna. In operation 1640, thewireless power transmitting device forms an RF wave based on thedetermined power applied to each patch antenna and at least one of thedetermined phase and amplitude for each patch antenna.

According to an embodiment, there is provided a storage medium storingcommands configured to be executed by at least one processor to enablethe at least one processor to perform at least one operation that mayinclude determining a direction in which an electronic device ispositioned based on a time of reception of a first communication signalfrom the electronic device by each communication antenna included in theelectronic device, controlling patch antennas included in a wirelesspower transmitting device so that sub-RF waves of a first magnitudeconstructively interfere with each other in the determined direction,and determining whether to charge the electronic device with the sub-RFwaves of the first magnitude based on a second communication signalreceived from the electronic device.

According to an embodiment, there is provided a storage medium storingcommands configured to be executed by at least one processor to enablethe at least one processor to perform at least one operation that mayinclude receiving a first communication signal including a position ofan electronic device from the electronic device and controlling patchantennas included in a wireless power transmitting device so that sub-RFwaves constructively interfere with each other at a position of theelectronic device.

The above-described commands may be stored in an external server and maybe downloaded and installed on an electronic device, such as a wirelesspower transmitting device. In other words, according to an embodiment,the external server may store commands that are downloadable by thewireless power transmitting device.

As is apparent from the foregoing description, according to embodiments,there is provided a wireless power transmitting device that determines adirection of power transmission using communication signals from anelectronic device and determines the precise location of the electronicdevice using the determined direction and a method to control thewireless power transmitting device. In accord with many of theadvantages of the various embodiments described above, substantialsavings in time are produced to determine a location of the electronicdevice and to transmit harmful radio waves.

The transmitters, devices, elements dividers, shifters, and otherstructural elements in FIGS. 1, 3, 10A, and 10B that perform theoperations described in this application are implemented by hardwarecomponents configured to perform the operations described in thisapplication that are performed by the hardware components. Examples ofhardware components that may be used to perform the operations describedin this application where appropriate include controllers, sensors,generators, drivers, memories, comparators, arithmetic logic units,adders, subtractors, multipliers, dividers, integrators, and any otherelectronic components configured to perform the operations described inthis application. In other examples, one or more of the hardwarecomponents that perform the operations described in this application areimplemented by computing hardware, for example, by one or moreprocessors or computers. A processor or computer may be implemented byone or more processing elements, such as an array of logic gates, acontroller and an arithmetic logic unit, a digital signal processor, amicrocomputer, a programmable logic controller, a field-programmablegate array, a programmable logic array, a microprocessor, or any otherdevice or combination of devices that is configured to respond to andexecute instructions in a defined manner to achieve a desired result. Inone example, a processor or computer includes, or is connected to, oneor more memories storing instructions or software that are executed bythe processor or computer. Hardware components implemented by aprocessor or computer may execute instructions or software, such as anoperating system (OS) and one or more software applications that run onthe OS, to perform the operations described in this application. Thehardware components may also access, manipulate, process, create, andstore data in response to execution of the instructions or software. Forsimplicity, the singular term “processor” or “computer” may be used inthe description of the examples described in this application, but inother examples multiple processors or computers may be used, or aprocessor or computer may include multiple processing elements, ormultiple types of processing elements, or both. For example, a singlehardware component or two or more hardware components may be implementedby a single processor, or two or more processors, or a processor and acontroller. One or more hardware components may be implemented by one ormore processors, or a processor and a controller, and one or more otherhardware components may be implemented by one or more other processors,or another processor and another controller. One or more processors, ora processor and a controller, may implement a single hardware component,or two or more hardware components. A hardware component may have anyone or more of different processing configurations, examples of whichinclude a single processor, independent processors, parallel processors,single-instruction single-data (SISD) multiprocessing,single-instruction multiple-data (SIMD) multiprocessing,multiple-instruction single-data (MISD) multiprocessing, andmultiple-instruction multiple-data (MIMD) multiprocessing.

The methods illustrated in FIGS. 2, 5, 6, 8, 12A, 12B, and 13 through 16that perform the operations described in this application are performedby computing hardware, for example, by one or more processors orcomputers, implemented as described above executing instructions orsoftware to perform the operations described in this application thatare performed by the methods. For example, a single operation or two ormore operations may be performed by a single processor, or two or moreprocessors, or a processor and a controller. One or more operations maybe performed by one or more processors, or a processor and a controller,and one or more other operations may be performed by one or more otherprocessors, or another processor and another controller. One or moreprocessors, or a processor and a controller, may perform a singleoperation, or two or more operations.

Instructions or software to control computing hardware, for example, oneor more processors or computers, to implement the hardware componentsand perform the methods as described above may be written as computerprograms, code segments, instructions or any combination thereof, forindividually or collectively instructing or configuring the one or moreprocessors or computers to operate as a machine or special-purposecomputer to perform the operations that are performed by the hardwarecomponents and the methods as described above. In one example, theinstructions or software include machine code that is directly executedby the one or more processors or computers, such as machine codeproduced by a compiler. In another example, the instructions or softwareincludes higher-level code that is executed by the one or moreprocessors or computer using an interpreter. The instructions orsoftware may be written using any programming language based on theblock diagrams and the flow charts illustrated in the drawings and thecorresponding descriptions in the specification, which disclosealgorithms for performing the operations that are performed by thehardware components and the methods as described above.

The instructions or software to control computing hardware, for example,one or more processors or computers, to implement the hardwarecomponents and perform the methods as described above, and anyassociated data, data files, and data structures, may be recorded,stored, or fixed in or on one or more non-transitory computer-readablestorage media. Examples of a non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), flashmemory, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, CD+Rs, CD-RWs, CD+RWs, DVD-ROMs, DVD-Rs, DVD+Rs,DVD-RWs, DVD+RWs, DVD-RAMs, BD-ROMs, BD-Rs, BD-R LTHs, BD-REs, magnetictapes, floppy disks, magneto-optical data storage devices, optical datastorage devices, hard disks, solid-state disks, and any other devicethat is configured to store the instructions or software and anyassociated data, data files, and data structures in a non-transitorymanner and provide the instructions or software and any associated data,data files, and data structures to one or more processors or computersso that the one or more processors or computers can execute theinstructions. In one example, the instructions or software and anyassociated data, data files, and data structures are distributed overnetwork-coupled computer systems so that the instructions and softwareand any associated data, data files, and data structures are stored,accessed, and executed in a distributed fashion by the one or moreprocessors or computers.

While this disclosure includes specific examples, it will be apparentafter an understanding of the disclosure of this application thatvarious changes in form and details may be made in these exampleswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the claims and theirequivalents. The examples described herein are to be considered in adescriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptionsof features or aspects in each example are to be considered as beingapplicable to similar features or aspects in other examples. Suitableresults may be achieved if the described techniques are performed in adifferent order, and/or if components in a described system,architecture, device, or circuit are combined in a different manner,and/or replaced or supplemented by other components or theirequivalents. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure is defined not bythe detailed description, but by the claims and their equivalents, andall variations within the scope of the claims and their equivalents areto be construed as being included in the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wireless power transmitting device, comprising:a plurality of patch antennas; a plurality of phase shifters eachcorresponding to the plurality of patch antennas; at least one amplifiercorresponding to the plurality of patch antennas respectively; aplurality of communication antennas; and a processor configured to:control each of the plurality of communication antennas to receive afirst communication signal generated by an external electronic device,detect a direction in which the external electronic device is positionedbased on the first communication signal, control each of the pluralityof phase shifters so that the plurality of patch antennas forms firstsub-radio frequency (RF) waves interfering with each other in thedetected direction, the first sub-RF waves each comprising a firstmagnitude, control at least one of the plurality of communicationantennas to receive, from the external electronic device, a secondcommunication signal comprising information related to intensity of apower received at the external electronic device, and control the atleast one amplifier to adjust a magnitude of the first sub-RF waves fromthe first magnitude to a second magnitude based on the received secondcommunication signal.
 2. The wireless power transmitting device of claim1, wherein the processor is further configured to identify a first valuerelated to the intensity of the power based on the information.
 3. Thewireless power transmitting device of claim 2, wherein the processor isfurther configured to: identify whether the first value meets a presetcondition, and when the first value fails to meet the preset condition,control the at least one amplifier so that the plurality of patchantennas forms the first sub-RF waves each comprising the secondmagnitude.
 4. The wireless power transmitting device of claim 3, whereinthe processor is further configured to: after the plurality of patchantennas forms the first sub-RF waves each comprising the secondmagnitude, control at least one of the plurality of communicationantennas to receive a third communication signal comprising firstinformation related to first intensity of a first power corresponding tothe first sub-RF waves comprising the second magnitude from the externalelectronic device, identify a second value related to the firstintensity of the first power based on the first information, identifywhether the second value meets the preset condition, and when the secondvalue meets the preset condition, maintain the controlling of the atleast one amplifier so that the first sub-RF waves each comprising thesecond magnitude.
 5. The wireless power transmitting device of claim 1,wherein the information related to the intensity of the power indicatesa level of the power in which the external electronic device receives.6. The wireless power transmitting device of claim 1, further comprisinga power source; and wherein the at least one amplifier is configured toamplify a first power received from the power source based on anamplification gain, and wherein the processor is further configured tocontrol the amplification gain of the at least one amplifier so that themagnitude of the first sub-RF waves is changed from the first magnitudeto the second magnitude.
 7. The wireless power transmitting device ofclaim 1, wherein the second communication signal further comprises atleast one of identification information of the external electronicdevice and rated power information about the external electronic device,and wherein the processor is further configured to identify whether tocharge the external electronic device based on at least one of theidentification information of the external electronic device or therated power information about the external electronic device.
 8. Thewireless power transmitting device of claim 1, wherein the processor isfurther configured to: detect a movement of the external electronicdevice while charging the external electronic device with the firstsub-RF waves, identify a changed direction of the external electronicdevice based on the detected movement, and control each of the pluralityof phase shifters so that each of plurality of power transmissionantennas forms sub-RF waves constructively interfering with each otherin the changed direction.
 9. A method to control a wireless powertransmitting device, comprising: receiving a first communication signalfrom an external electronic device; detecting a direction in which theexternal electronic device is positioned based on the firstcommunication signal; controlling each of a plurality of phase shifterscorresponding to a plurality of power transmission antennas of thewireless power transmitting device respectively so that each of theplurality of power transmission antennas forms sub-radio frequency (RF)waves constructively interfering with each other in the detecteddirection, the first sub-RF waves each comprising a first magnitude;receiving, from the external electronic device, a second communicationsignal comprising information related to intensity of a power receivedat the external electronic device; and controlling at least oneamplifier to adjust a magnitude of the first sub-RF) waves from thefirst magnitude to a second magnitude based on the received secondcommunication signal.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprisingidentifying a first value related to the intensity of the power based onthe information.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:identifying whether the first value meets a preset condition; and whenthe first value fails to meet the preset condition, controlling the atleast one amplifier to adjust the magnitude of the first sub-RF wavesfrom the first magnitude to the second magnitude.
 12. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising: after the plurality of patch antennasforms the first sub-RF waves each comprising the second magnitude,receiving a third communication signal comprising first informationrelated to a first intensity of a first power corresponding to the firstsub-RF waves comprising the second magnitude from the externalelectronic device; identifying a second value related to the firstintensity of the first power based on the first information; identifyingwhether the second value meets the preset condition; and when the secondvalue meets the preset condition, controlling the at least one amplifierso that the magnitude of the first sub-RF maintains the secondmagnitude.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the information related tothe intensity of the power indicates a level of the power in which theexternal electronic device receives.
 14. The method of claim 9, whereinthe wireless power transmitting device includes a power source, and theat least one amplifier is configured to amplify a first power receivedfrom the power source based on an amplification gain, and wherein themethod further comprises controlling the amplification gain of the atleast one amplifier so that a magnitude of the sub-RF waves is changedfrom the first magnitude to the second magnitude.
 15. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the second communication signal further comprises atleast one of identification information of the external electronicdevice and rated power information about the external electronic device,and wherein the method further comprises identifying whether to chargethe external electronic device based on at least one of theidentification information of the external electronic device or therated power information about the external electronic device.
 16. Themethod of claim 9, further comprising: detecting a movement of theexternal electronic device while charging the external electronic devicewith the first sub-RF waves, identifying a changed direction of theexternal electronic device based on the detected movement, andcontrolling each of the plurality of phase shifters so that each ofplurality of power transmission antennas forms sub-RF wavesconstructively interfering with each other in the changed direction.